Virginia's Bennett refuses to relax, even during rout of Virginia Tech

CHARLOTTESVILLE — During the final television break of Saturday's all-but-inevitable knee-capping of Virginia Tech, Virginia coach Tony Bennett scolded his team and sent starters Joe Harris, Mike Tobey and Malcolm Brogdon back onto the floor.

The Cavaliers were cruising by 16, and the Hokies' comeback chances were nil. But with U.Va. clearly among the ACC's elite this season, and capable of creating March memories, Bennett's standards are higher than ever.

Exhaling is not an option. Matador defense and/or selfish offense, no matter the score, will not be excused.

Not by starters or reserves. Not given the Cavaliers' potential, and certainly not with intriguing road games looming at Notre Dame and Pittsburgh.

"My challenge to them, my plea to them, is 'don't give it back,'" Bennett said after the 65-45 victory. "Just because you've won a few, it shouldn't change how you approach it and how you play. That's the message I want them to keep understanding."

To date, the message has resonated like a Billy Graham stemwinder or U2 concert. Seven games into the ACC schedule, the Cavaliers (15-5, 6-1) are playing as well as even the persnickety Bennett could hope.

They have led by 20 points or more in each of their conference wins, and their average margin in those games was 18.2. Virginia's only ACC setback was at Duke, by four points.

This is the Cavaliers' best conference start since Ralph Sampson roamed the Lawn in 1983, and Saturday was their most-lopsided conquest of the Hokies since 1991.

Granted, Tech is sliding downhill like Bode Miller on skis. The Hokies (8-11, 1-6) are depleted, have dropped six straight and must wonder when they next win.

But even at full strength, Tech is no match for Virginia at John Paul Jones Arena, where the Cavaliers have won 13 straight ACC games.

"That's a very, very good Virginia basketball team," Tech coach James Johnson said. "I thought going into the game they were playing some of the best basketball in the country, and they continued that tonight."

Once the country's most accurate 3-point shooting team, the Hokies continued their recent funk, missing 15-of-18 from beyond the arc. Freshman point guard Devin Wilson managed a team-high 12 points, but 11 of those came late, long after the issue had been resolved — credit Justin Anderson's smothering defense.

Meanwhile, Virginia wing guard Malcolm Brogdon continued to thrive with game-highs of 18 points and six rebounds, plus three assists and a steal.

"Our guys have played pretty solid basketball in those victories," Bennett said of the fast ACC start. "It hasn't been perfect, but that's what we're going towards."

After consecutive home wins over Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech, Virginia will find perfection more elusive Tuesday at Notre Dame and Super Bowl Sunday at 20th-ranked Pittsburgh.

The Fighting Irish (11-9, 2-5) are struggling without Jerian Grant (academic suspension), but they did beat Duke at home. The Panthers (17-2, 5-1 entering Saturday's late game at Maryland) are 12-0 at their underrated home, the Petersen Events Center.

Moreover, these Cavaliers have never played in the arenas of the ACC newcomers.

"It's kind of cool to go play in a different venue against a team that we've never played against," Harris said. "We're all looking forward it. … We've played in some hostile environments, and Notre Dame and Pittsburgh won't be any different."

Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium is the most hostile building Virginia has encountered. The Cavaliers trailed by as many as 13 early before rallying to take a one-point lead in the final minute.

"First 10 minutes in Cameron, I think the atmosphere … we didn't play with the rhythm and patience we needed to and we have been playing with," Harris said. "We adjusted to it in the second half."

Bennett believes this team is embracing and executing his preferred style like none of his previous four U.Va. squads, especially on offense. The Cavaliers are sharing the ball, their increased balance reflected in Harris' 11.6 scoring average, far off last season's 16.3.

Such maturity and unselfishness bode well.

"You have a really good opportunity in front of you," Bennett said he told the players. "Let's try to seize it every time out on the floor."

David Teel can be reached at 757-247-4636 or by email at dteel@dailypress.com. For more from Teel, read his blog at dailypress.com/teeltime and follow him at twitter.com/DavidTeelatDP.